Stiffness

Hi, It's just over 8 weeks since I had Bi Lateral release and Chondroplasty. I still have to take anti inflammatory medications and have to ice my knees. I have a lot of swelling and stiffness. I feel that it is something stuck behind my knee caps. I can only walk about 30 to 50 steps at the time then I have to rest otherwise they get very swollen. I am to find out how long this condition will be continued if you have similar experience? How are you knees now? thanks

 

Hi Imocolatta,

I would be keen to see what your surgeon says in your next visit. My one said I'm a bit impatience and I see the initial results after at least six months. My next visit is in June. I feel exactly feel your frustration as I am in the same boat! Are you still taking medications for swelling? I do. If I don't take them they get so swollen that I can barely get up from bed. I do my exercises twice a day and have a regular visit to my PT. let me know how you getting on. I feel that I have found someone who's the situation like mine! Thanks

Ill definitely keep you posted. When i saw my surgeon week 6 post op, he said it could take up to 6 months, which was shocking because pre-op we talked about 6-8 weeks which is the expectation i set with my company. Nearly 3 months later and i attempted driving 2x for about 5 minutes and the swelling and pain were so bad i had to pull over and have the passenger drive. I cant go to the grocery store w/o a crutch, and even then by the time im done, my leg is so swollen im in bed the rest of the day. Ill let you know what the surgeon says, but i may ask hil to do another mri im case something else is going on. Let me know how yours progresses!

Apologies for the typos! Replying via cell from PT office lol.

I think our conditions are very similar. I am exactly feeling the same way but I can drive. I am struggling with shopping, standing, stairs, steep areas and the biggest problem for me is walking. At the moment doing gait training!!! Learning how to walk again!

Hi,:-)

How are your knees? Did you have the appointment with your surgeon?

Regards,

Hello! So i went to see my surgeon who saw my stiffness and ROM at 95degrees. Told him about all th symptoms. He thinks its the inflammation causing the issues, so he gave me a cortisone shot. Since then the swelling has definitely lessened as has the pain and some of the stiffness. Its only been 3 or 4 days but theres definitely a difference. Without the painful swelling im able to have a more normalized gait, but the instability is still here . 2 more months off work . And reassessment in 6 weeks.

Hello, I am glad that you are feeling better. My problem is with swelling as well , when I have less I walk better. I have decided to not take any medication for swelling and pain as I heard that they have bad side effects on kidneys. I did do a blood test and checked the kidney function and it was good but definitely I don't want to take them for long period when the recovery time is unknown. I will see my surgeon on 23rd June and ask if I can do injection to reduce swelling. Just finished my 12 weeks since surgery and still not right!! Regards

Hello, thanks for your message. I am just about to go to 21 weeks since my operation. I stopped my PT last week as I thought is turning to a waste of money! I have started the gym workout mostly upper body workout and signed in with a personal trainer and I have to admit I feel stronger already. The knees still swells in the evening but I'm reaching to stage that it won't last as long as before normally a day or two. It's definitely improving in its own pace!!

The surgeon said to me it takes at least 6 months and I saw a guy that he had the same surgery at the gym and he said it took 18 months and still swells if he has high impact activities. So it shows there is no fast recovery so be patient.

But do you feel a bit better? If yes it shows you are improving but slowly. Cheers,

So glad to hear you're doing a bit better!  It gives me hope.  I actually did the same, i hired a personal trainer who specializes in injuries, go to the gym 5 times a week.  But without fail, after the gym, my knee balloons up, and i can barely walk for the rest of the day.  It's so frustrating, and since mine is workers comp related, i have to wait for approval for the MRI that my Dr is requesting.  

In some ways, it's a bit better.  My ROM is much improved, though i still can't squat or sit on my knees.  Though i've been trying to focus on quad strength, my knee still 'gives out' occassionaly, and often buckles =(  My Dr is waiting on the MRI, but he mentioned the possibility of a TKR or PKR which i *really really* don't want to do.  I just CANNOT imagine having to go through this again.

I'll keep you posted & congrats on your healing!

Ah thanks:-) How your knees doing? Mine has improved a lot but I still have a bit of pain and cant sit on my knees. I think now the winter is over and the weather is improving my knees has improved a lot. I am going 5 times a week to the gym and do all sort of strengthening exercises which helps with the recovery. Gosh it is nice to get back a little bit to a normal life but still long way for me to get back to my previous acitivities like hiking, mountain biking etc but I am happy with the improvement... 

Are you doing exercise bike everyday, I think for me that was the key to recovery. I've been going through pain everytime I do some sort of exercise but I see the next day my knees are feeling better.

Hope all goes well with your knees and keep me posted!